KATY, Texas (AP) Kevin Brown scored a career-high 24 points and New Orleans outscored Nicholls State 7-1 in the final minute to give the Privateers an 82-73 win in the first round of the Southland Conference tournament on Wednesday.

Tevin Broyles, Kevin Hill and Nate Frye combined to make 7 of 8 free throws in the last 35 seconds to seal it.

Seventh-seeded New Orleans (11-17), in its first Southland tournament appearance after joining last season, forced 21 turnovers and had a 24-4 differential on points off turnovers.